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Restaurants say new seafood-labeling law will be costly and logistically difficult; DMR offers interim fixes
Summary
Operators at a DMR briefing raised concerns about menu reprinting costs, mixed-item labeling and the July 1 effective date; agency staff recommended interim fixes (chalkboards, inserts, 4x6 origin cards) and offered courtesy inspections and letters to corporate offices.
Restaurant operators and printers pressed DMR staff on practical steps to comply with House Bill 602, warning that reprinting and managing dozens of menus across multi-site operations could be costly and disruptive.
"We spent in the last two and a half months about $19,000 ... in menu printing," said Rob Hefner of GF Coast Restaurant Group during the Q&A, arguing that many operators would face significant near-term costs. Printer Jim Spires added: "I print menus for some people ... they're $1,200 because they're on synthetic paper ... That this is a big big deal."
Agency staff acknowledged the burden but repeatedly emphasized the law's intent and recommended temporary measures businesses can use immediately: post prominent signs at the host stand or door stating "we proudly serve only domestic seafood," attach an insert or 4x6 origin card to menus, use a chalkboard/whiteboard for daily specials, or place stickers instead of wholesale reprints. DMR said inspectors will take businesses' good-faith efforts into account during initial compliance checks and will provide courtesy inspections on request.
Operators asked whether shorthand symbols (an "I" or "D") or industry terms such as "Gulf" could substitute for the required language. Lavine and Spragggins said the statute currently requires the words "imported" or "domestic," and while a task force could consider shorthand later, the present law must be followed as written.
Businesses also sought clarity on edge cases: buffet and placard labeling, food trucks, prepackaged retail cabinets, catering and online point-of-sale displays. Agency staff said buffet placards and retail point-of-sale pages that function as the point of sale must designate imported or domestic; catering/banquet contracts were treated differently because the buyer signs the contract and assumes responsibility.
Several business representatives asked the department to provide formal communications for corporate offices and urged more targeted outreach statewide; DMR staff offered to provide letters and said additional workshops and FAQ updates would be made available.
The session closed with a practical emphasis from Lavine: "We're going to walk with you. We're not running right now." Businesses were encouraged to use the department's resources and request on-site reviews to reduce the operational burden of immediate compliance.
